Managing PCOS: A New Beginning of Hope.

We have a phrase we use in our house. “PCOS is a bitch, and no one likes her.”

I have had horrible luck with doctors. Each doctor had a different “plan” for helping me “manage” my PCOS. One doctor put me on birth control. The other doctor put me on diet pills (Phentermine), but no diet plan. The next doctor put me on Progesterone. And the last doctor put me on anti depressants.

Of course, this has been over the course of the past 2 years. All any of these were, were just symptom-treaters. I gave up. I stopped taking everything. I said I wouldn’t care. I would just suffer cope with it.

But in the past year, it has made my body feel like hell. Every day I was sick. Not like, so ill I couldn’t do anything. But more like I just didn’t feel good. I was worn out and tired. I felt like I was going to throw up almost every time I ate. I could really feel it taking a toll on my body. But I was too stubborn to go to the doctor. I hated all the previous ones who had nothing to help me.

Finally, I got to the point where I knew I couldn’t go any longer without treating it. I was so sick I couldn’t stand it. I was tired of it. So my sister Gina gave me a recommendation for an Endocrinologist that her best friend had been seeing, and LOVED. So I decided to put my big girl pants on and get my ass in that doctor’s office.

It was amazing. For the first time in my life, I had a doctor would sit and just talk to me, like a normal person. He happened to be pre-diabetic, which is the man-version of having PCOS. He told me his whole journey of coming to terms with it and how he lives now. It was so inspirational to me. We sat together for an hour, and came up with a really solid life-style plan to manage PCOS. Nothing temporary. Nothing symptom-treating. Life.

I wasn’t scared to make these changes. I know it will be the way I live for the rest of my life. This is not a temporary diet. And you know, that doesn’t scare me one bit. He told me several ideas of what I can make for dinners, treats, going out to eat, and so on. He told me some of the good cook books to get and try. He said that with the help of Metformin and this way of living/eating, I would immediately stop feeling sick.

Not only was the PCOS a factor, but I have a gluten intolerance And that is common for people with diabetes. Who knew? No one had ever told me.

What that means: Sugar Free, no bread, potatoes, rice, pasta. High in protein and fiber.
It isn’t as intimidating as it sounds. The more research I’ve done, the more options I’ve found. It isn’t all salads.

I am going to be keeping track of new recipes and meals I invent or learn for this new adventure. I don’t know if anyone with PCOS/pre-diabetes reads my personal blog. If you do, maybe it will help you, and maybe it won’t.

I’ve been on the new medicine and diet for 5 days, and I already feel a world of difference. I haven’t felt sick these few days. If this any indication of the changes to come, I am very excited. I’m motivated because of how good I already feel.

I am so grateful for all the support I’ve received when learning how I will manage this. I have the best friends and family a girl could ask for.

5 thoughts on “Managing PCOS: A New Beginning of Hope.”

I have a gluten sensitivity so I feel your pain! coming up with new recipes and better ways to eat has actually been a lot of fun, as stressful as it can be sometimes. there are some awesome cookbooks out there though! I wouldn’t mind hearing some suggestions 🙂 I’ve been using Gluten Free on a Shoestring!